Northern Territory of Australia

Electricity Standards of Service Code

Feeder Category Guidelines

July 2017

19 The Mall DARWIN NT 0800Postal Address GPO Box 915 DARWIN NT 0801

Email: utilities.commission@nt.gov.auWebsite: www.utilicom.nt.gov.au

Electricity Standards of Service Code: Feeder Category Guidelines

1 Introduction1.1 Authority

1.1.1 This Guideline is made by the Commission under clause 1.8 of the Code.

1.1.2 The Commission is authorised to publish guidelines relating to the performance of its functions under section 7 of the Utilities Commission Act.

1.2 Scope

1.2.1 This guideline deals with the following matters:

(a) the definition and application of feeders managed by network entities;

(b) the categorisation and reporting of individual feeders for the purpose of:

i. reporting performance indicators; and

ii. establishing target standards.

1.2.2 In making this guideline or making any amendments to this guideline the Commission has or will have regard to the matters set out in clause 1.4 of the Code.

1.3 Date of commencement

1.3.1 This guideline takes effect on and from the date of publication.

1.4 Interpretation

1.4.1 This guideline will be interpreted in the same manner as the Code, except for the following:

(a) a reference in this guideline to a clause, annexure, appendix, schedule or table is a reference to a clause, annexure, appendix, schedule or table in this guideline, unless otherwise stated; and

(b) words appearing in bold like ‘this’ are defined in clause 3 of this guideline or in the absence of such a definition Schedule 7 of the Code.

1.4.2 Where this guideline is inconsistent with the Code the latter shall prevail and the former shall to the extent of the inconsistency be invalid for the purposes of the Code.

2 Feeder category definitions 2.1 Feeder categories

2.1.1 The Code sets out a process for establishing target standards for (and reporting of actual performance against) each of the following distribution network reliability performance indicators (as identified in schedule 3 of the Code and segmented by feeder category):

2.1.2 System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI); and

2.1.3 System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI).

2.1.4 The feeder categories are:

Page 2 of 4

(a) CBD feeders;

(b) urban feeders;

(c) rural short feeders; and

(d) rural long feeders.

2.2 Categorisation of individual feeders

2.2.1 The network entities will categorise an individual feeder as per clause 2.1.4.

2.2.2 For the purposes of clause 2.2.1 the network entities will apply the methodology set out in clause 2.2.5, unless the Commission otherwise directs.

2.2.3 The network entities will consult with the Commission (or any other person the Commission sees fit to consult) prior to categorising or recategorising an individual feeder into a feeder category.

2.2.4 The network entities must:

(a) use their best endeavours to identify all individual feeders that form part of the regulated network and supply electricity to customers;

(b) categorise all individual feeders in accordance with the methodology set out in clause 2.2.5; and

(c) include in their annual reports to the Commission as per clause 5 of the Code a full list of feeders segmented by category, noting any change in categorisation, new feeders, feeders removed from the list and any other relevant information.

2.2.5 The methodology for determining an individual feeder’s feeder category is as follows:

(a) CBD feeder is a feeder in one or more geographic areas determined by the relevant participating jurisdiction as supplying electricity to predominantly commercial high-rise buildings, supplied by a predominantly underground distribution network containing significant interconnection and redundancy when compared to urban areas;

(b) urban feeder is a feeder that is not a CBD feeder and has a maximum demand (which can be weather-normalised) over the feeder route length greater than 0.3 MVA/km;

(c) short rural feeder is a feeder with a total feeder route length less than 200 km and is not a CBD feeder or urban feeder; and

(d) long rural feeder is a feeder with a total feeder route length greater than 200 km and is not a CBD feeder or urban feeder.

2.2.6 The network provider must, in accordance with good electricity industry practice, periodically collect and maintain such data (in connection with the categorisation of individual feeders into feeder categories) as is reasonable, sufficient for the purpose of complying with its obligations under this guideline and the Code, and enabling the Commission to perform its functions under this guideline and the Code.

2.3 Amending the guideline

2.3.1 An electricity entity may request the Commission to vary or revoke any part of this guideline.

Page 3 of 4

2.3.2 The Commission may accept or reject a request under clause 2.4.1 in its absolute discretion.

2.3.3 If the Commission accepts a request under clause 2.4.1:

(a) the Commission may consult with the network entity (or any other person the Commission sees fit to consult); and

(b) the Commission will have regard to matters set out in clause 1.4 of the Code prior to varying or revoking this guideline or any part of this guideline.

2.3.4 A varied guideline will take effect on and from the date of publication.

3 Definitions

Act

Best endeavours

CBD feeder The individual feeder identified as ‘CBD feeder’ in accordance with clause 2.2.5

Code Electricity Industry Performance Code

Commission Northern Territory Utilities Commission

Customers

Distribution network

Electricity entity

Feeder category

Good electricity industry practice

Guideline Electricity Standards of Service Code Feeder Category Guidelines

Network entity

Network provider

Performance indicators

Regulated network

Short rural feeder The individual feeder identified as a ‘rural short feeder’ in accordance with clause 2.2.5

Long rural feeder The individual feeder identified as a ‘rural long feeder’ in accordance with clause 2.2.5

Target standards

Urban feeder The individual feeder identified as an ‘urban feeder’ in accordance with clause 2.2.5

Page 4 of 4